January 10, 2014

And Here...
We...
Go!: Humana Informs Shareholders That It Will Likely Make Less Money Due to "Adverse" Mix of Healthy and Unhealthy Obamacare Enrollees
— Ace

It begins.

[I]n a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Humana disclosed to investors, "as a result of the December 2013 federal and state regulatory changes allowing certain individuals to remain in their previously existing off-exchange health plans, the Company now expects the risk mix of members enrolling through the health insurance exchanges to be more adverse than previously expected."

The regulatory change Humana is referring to is the "administrative fix" announced by the Obama administration aimed at allowing individuals to remain enrolled in their current plans, which had been cancelled as a result of requirements imposed by the law. Obama announced the "fix" after a storm of criticism over his broken promise that anybody who liked their plan could keep it. Insurers had been depending on those with cancelled plans (who tend to be healthier) to end up obtaining insurance through exchanges.

Meanwhile, Blue Cross Blue Shield wrote a talking points lobbying memo warning that if Republicans succeed in ending the "risk corridor" bailouts to the insurance industry (which will be massive, due to the "adverse" mix of health and unhealthy enrollees), the result will be the bankrupting of the system -- and the coming of single-payer.

They're saying this to spook us so that we will agree to pay them off and make them whole over the corrupt, and now unprofitable, bargain they struck with Obama.

I say we roll the dice.


Posted by: Ace at 01:03 PM | Comments (318)
Post contains 283 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a malignant traitor.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:04 PM (PYAXX)

2 I say we roll the dice. YOLO!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at January 10, 2014 01:04 PM (pltB/)

3 Except the administrative fix was never implemented in real life because it couldn't be. My guess is that either the reporter got it wrong or Humana is swinging wildly for an explanation on why people just aren't signing up (when the reality is, even people who lost their health insurance are probably more willing to roll the dice than to go through an exchange).

Posted by: sunny-dee at January 10, 2014 01:05 PM (EBoCD)

4 Why should the common folk be the only ones getting screwed over? Spread the love. And by love I mean DOOM.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:06 PM (naUcP)

5 They're saying this to spook us so that we will agree to pay them off and make them whole over the corrupt, and now unprofitable, bargain they struck with Obama. They are. They may also be correct. That said, I've gotten to thinking: how would "single payer" work? I mean, the Government doesn't know how (not even the mechanics- let alone the theory behind those mechanics) to handle insurance. Tricare, Medicaid, and Medicare are all administered by private sector insurance companies. If those insurance companies go kaput because of 404Care, how is the Government going to implement single payer?

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:06 PM (PYAXX)

6 Affirmative Action has consequences.

Posted by: garrett at January 10, 2014 01:06 PM (Jd84d)

7 So the insurers are trying to extort us? That's what it sounds like.

Posted by: EC at January 10, 2014 01:06 PM (doBIb)

8 The only way out is a combination of comprehensive immigration reform and high speed rail. Oh and promise zones.

Posted by: Kreplach at January 10, 2014 01:06 PM (5TFvk)

9 Fuck 'em.  The system is now on fire and whatever pissing we do it is not going to put it out.  Let's see what we get from the ashes......

Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 10, 2014 01:06 PM (32Ze2)

10 Hell yeah roll the dice.

Fuck you Big Insurance you sucked his Reggie Pusher and he screwed the pooch.

The GOP can go around you and create a federal catastrophic and regress towards a stipend and reintroduce market fucking dynamics you asshats.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:07 PM (TE35l)

11 Too big to failÂ…again? Jeese, let them burn. We have so many pieces to pick up after 2016 what's one more?

Posted by: seems legit at January 10, 2014 01:08 PM (A98Xu)

12 They're saying this to spook us so that we will agree to pay them off and make them whole over the corrupt, and now unprofitable, bargain they struck with Obama. I say we roll the dice. No argument here.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at January 10, 2014 01:08 PM (G5cc0)

13 o/t

Girl I would never stick my dick in whines about booth babes at CES:

http://bit.ly/1eL0DU2

Posted by: The Dude at January 10, 2014 01:08 PM (vJdyz)

14
Come on snake eyes!

Ooops, crapped out.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at January 10, 2014 01:09 PM (n0DEs)

15 Except the administrative fix was never implemented in real life because it couldn't be. It was, because it didn't take anything to "implement." Well- okay (<-- apparently we don't know the etymology of this word) it was the "Oh, if you've already lost your insurance, you're exempt from the mandate" 'Regulatory Change', not the "Oh, you can totes keep your plan!" 'Regulatory Change.' That said, the effect is the same to Humana- more high-risk people, and fewer low-risk people, signing up for 404Care plans.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:09 PM (PYAXX)

16

Fuck the insurers. They bent over for O-care, expecting to reap a windfall. Now let them reap the whirlwind.  O was slick after the Hillarycare failure. They knew they had to get the insurance co's on board from the get-go, and the risk corridors and other (promised) goodies were how they did it. Had the insurers been opposed, it wouldn't have passed.

    So, to hell with them.

Posted by: publius(NotBreitbartPublius) at January 10, 2014 01:09 PM (M5Os+)

17 5 AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 05:06 PM (PYAXX)

"How would single payer work?"

It wouldn't that's the point.  The guy running the ACA like a submarine would be the creative genius behind the plan.

I hate these assholes, they won't even be honest and say "this means HE fucked up" they couch it in bad mix and such.

If Obamacare is so great why do you need to compel people by force of law and have these bailouts?

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:09 PM (TE35l)

18 I say we roll the dice. yep I'm a gambler, at times.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:09 PM (IXrOn)

19 Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 05:06 PM (PYAXX) Is all of Medicare private? I thought only Part C and D where. Regardless the amount of fraud in those to programs alone is staggering, plus the amount of waste. (Separate issues, even if similar causes.) I'd say "single payer would be a disaster" we all know that. In fact, we all predicted this too. By golly it's almost like a couple of are...gasp...experts about this thing. Nah, couldn't be.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at January 10, 2014 01:10 PM (GaqMa)

20 L. to the I. to the Beeeeee!

Posted by: MC weft cut [/i] [/b] at January 10, 2014 01:10 PM (tlwVg)

21 PIXY!!!! That should have been: Well- okay (we don't know the etymology of this word), it's not the "You can keep your plan" change, it's the "you're exempt from the individual mandate" change.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:10 PM (PYAXX)

22 I say we roll the guillotines on these insurance company heads.

Posted by: superflex at January 10, 2014 01:10 PM (4a/4i)

23 ...the result will be the bankrupting of the system -- and the coming of single-payer.



This has been the intent all along.  And the big insurance companies can kiss my rosy red ass.   They climbed into bed with the Dems on this POS.  Hell, their lobbyists even helped write the damn law.  They deserve every screwing they get.



Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 10, 2014 01:11 PM (T2V/1)

24 Do they really think people will, all of a sudden, think oh, yeah, the government will do a better job if we go single payer, after seeing the obamacare fustercluck... what? how do they see it magically becoming single payer?

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:11 PM (IXrOn)

25 So BC&BS is saying "Either pay us to draw out the painfull death throws that will cost you much much more in the long run, or just cut our throats now and be done with it."

Lets get to slitting boys!

Posted by: Emperor Norton II at January 10, 2014 01:11 PM (MlqTY)

26 Girl I would never stick my dick in whines about booth babes at CES: Never say never around here.

Posted by: EC at January 10, 2014 01:12 PM (doBIb)

27 Fuck em

Posted by: Kirk Cousins at January 10, 2014 01:12 PM (0ISRl)

28 Were there any insurers that weren't on board with this clusterfuck?

Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at January 10, 2014 01:12 PM (CofEF)

29 As a customer of BCBS of SC, I am keeping a eye on their humongous pile of cash.  There is no point of me having a policy with them if they are broke when the time comes for me to need some health care services.

Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at January 10, 2014 01:12 PM (V70Uh)

30 Humana is Tony Weiner's "wife", isn't she?

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at January 10, 2014 01:12 PM (PK+r9)

31 23 Vic at January 10, 2014 05:11 PM (T2V/1)


Hey Vic, remember when we were crazy for saying it was a "single payer gambit" that "would not work and necessitate bailouts?"

Yeah good times, good times.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:12 PM (TE35l)

32 Per the Joker reference: The insurance companies had something good going, but turned to try to use something they didn't understand and ultimately can't control. They supported Ocare, and in doing so, helped loose it on us. Now, it's out there and going to lead to burning. It'll probably end just about as well as it did for Mr. Lau and the rest of the mob in Dark Knight.

Posted by: AMDG at January 10, 2014 01:13 PM (t7OO0)

33 So our options are fascism or communism? Hmm, decisions decisions...

Posted by: Lauren at January 10, 2014 01:13 PM (hFL/3)

34 Is all of Medicare private? Administered- that is, the claims actually taken in and adjudicated. Yes, as far as I know it's all private. It wouldn't that's the point. The guy running the ACA like a submarine would be the creative genius behind the plan. Okay, but this is like a guy who can't even fold a paper airplane thinking he could build a functional submarine. He screwed up a simple thing in one discipline, but he's planning to do a very complex one in a different discipline? He wouldn't even know where to start. "And now, I shall build a submarine. Just as soon as I figure out what steps to take to build a submarine..."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:13 PM (PYAXX)

35 The insurance companies climbed into bed with ObamaCare, woke up with fleas, bed bugs, crabs, and assorted STD's and I give a f*ck? Oh, no I don't.

Posted by: Regular Moron [/i] at January 10, 2014 01:14 PM (3B0GZ)

36 hat said, I've gotten to thinking: how would "single payer" work? I mean, the Government doesn't know how (not even the mechanics- let alone the theory behind those mechanics) to handle insurance. Tricare, Medicaid, and Medicare are all administered by private sector insurance companies. If those insurance companies go kaput because of 404Care, how is the Government going to implement single payer? Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 05:06 PM (PYAXX) I know, right. They thought they were brilliant bringing in a Canadian company - yes, it was cronyism, but, also, they probably thought they knew how that type of system worked due to the socialist system in Canada. They were wrong. I wonder how the new tech guru's are being instructed to build this site over.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:14 PM (IXrOn)

37 24 artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 05:11 PM (IXrOn)

They don't care...sorta.

Look they are saying this because Obama wants them to.  What this is saying is "HELP!"  They do not control what happens afterwards and arguably down the pike it helps us. 

It's a threat, and fuck them.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:14 PM (TE35l)

38 Never say never around here.

Posted by: EC at January 10, 2014 05:12 PM (doBIb)


though true, I'd rather stick my dick into Maddow instead of Adrianne Jefferies


http://bit.ly/Kb0j71

Posted by: The Dude at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (vJdyz)

39 Humana Informs Shareholders That It Will Likely Make Less Money Due to.....


-----


hahahahaha.....


At first I though Ace was talking about Huma Weiner

Posted by: fixerupper at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (nELVU)

40 @15, I could be wrong, but the administrative fix they were talking about was letting people keep all their small group / individual plans that got canceled, right? Except there is simply no way to recreate those plans for insurance companies in less than a week (it was decreed in the last week of December) and certainly no way for consumers to avail themselves of those recreated plans and then pay for them by January 1. So it was never implemented by insurers because it couldn't be.

Posted by: sunny-dee at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (EBoCD)

41 31  Yeah good times, good times.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 05:12 PM (TE35l)




Hell, the dems have already openly admitted the intent was single payer all along.  That got short airplay at Fox and nowhere else at all.



And once they get single payer they will go ahead and nationalize the entire system because if the government pays for everything then the government needs all the infrastructure too.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (T2V/1)

42 It'll probably end just about as well as it did for Mr. Lau and the rest of the mob in Dark Knight. Obama: "wanna see me make this health insurer disappear?"

Posted by: EC at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (doBIb)

43 Obamacare is not the hill to fight on

Posted by: Mitch McConnell at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (Pr6hk)

44 I say we roll the dice. --- There's a chance of things coming out right if we roll the dice. If we don't? It's going to crash, and hard.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at January 10, 2014 01:15 PM (/Crba)

45 It begins.

And so.  Do you really expect any of the insurance companies, their agents and their trade organizations to donate campaign dollars to anyone but Democrats and Establishment Republicans?

Posted by: John P. Squibob at January 10, 2014 01:16 PM (kqqGm)

46 I could be wrong, but the administrative fix they were talking about was letting people keep all their small group / individual plans that got canceled, right? They tried that one first, then someone pointed out that it couldn't happen. So *then* they waived the individual mandate (illegally) for anyone whose plan was canceled due to 404Care.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:16 PM (PYAXX)

47 I dunno, Mr. Stalin. That's an awfully weird way to test rope, but I'll try it out if it makes our No. 1 customer happy!

Posted by: Rope & Twine Inc. [/i] [/b] at January 10, 2014 01:17 PM (tlwVg)

48 I say we roll the dice Yeah...no. Let's just be real quiet. Maybe we'll get some seats out of this.

Posted by: John Boehner at January 10, 2014 01:17 PM (iO3BG)

49 bottom line all dems need to be voted out everywhere all of 'em

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:17 PM (IXrOn)

50 Pimp sues Nike after beating someone to death with a pair of Jordans

http://bit.ly/1eL1XWM

Posted by: The Dude at January 10, 2014 01:17 PM (vJdyz)

51 41 Vic at January 10, 2014 05:15 PM (T2V/1)

It is simple math and human nature for God's sake.

Poppin' Fresh would get angry if you got the least bit heated and attacked Obama and company for foisting this mess.

It is a bomb, was designed as a bomb, and is detonating as a bomb.

They hope to blow us to single payer, I HOPE people reject that and we regress to market economics in the field.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:18 PM (TE35l)

52 what?

how do they see it magically becoming single payer?

They Nationalize the insurance companies and hospitals.  This will especially work in CA, where doctors cannot own hospitals.

I'm not saying is going to work.  I'm just saying that what they'll do.

Posted by: John P. Squibob at January 10, 2014 01:18 PM (kqqGm)

53 Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 05:17 PM (IXrOn) And most of the VAG.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:18 PM (PYAXX)

54 Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at January 10, 2014 05:15 PM (/Crba As we roll the dice we need to just say over and over again "NO MORE BAILOUTS." The public hates bailouts. Let's kill this one too.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at January 10, 2014 01:18 PM (GaqMa)

55 They're saying this to spook us so that we will agree to pay them off and make them whole over the corrupt, and now unprofitable, bargain they struck with Obama. I say we roll the dice. Amen. Balls to the wall, full speed ahead.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 10, 2014 01:18 PM (lUXJH)

56 In 2012 Humana made about $40 billion, yes billion with a "b" and had profits in excess of $1.2 billion. I'm good with rolling the dice.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 10, 2014 01:19 PM (g1DWB)

57 When will we know that the government has collapsed? Will we see it on the news? On the radio? Martial law and curfew?

Posted by: Jmel at January 10, 2014 01:19 PM (cfFqn)

58 "[Blue Cross/Blue Shield are] saying this to spook us so that we will agree to pay them off and make them whole over the corrupt, and now unprofitable, bargain they struck with Obama."

Yep. And further along in their press release, we have this don't-know-whether-to-laugh-or-to-cry gem of an assertion:

"[Failure to have Big Insurance bailed out for their Obamacare losses] will close the door to pro-competitive health care reform alternatives."

Oh. Yeah. That's right.

Because if there is one single shining star of principle by which cozy cartelists like BCBS navigate, it's their being "pro-competition". You can take that to the bank.

Posted by: torquewrench at January 10, 2014 01:19 PM (gqT4g)

59 Oh, you know where this is really going to suck. All those upstart insurance companies in the northeastern states. Everyone remember those? Insurance coopts. Yeah, badness there.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at January 10, 2014 01:19 PM (GaqMa)

60 The system is aligned against us.  The politico/crony capitalist class are getting while the getting is good.  We are headed to ruin because of it.  Where is the outrage? 

Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 10, 2014 01:20 PM (32Ze2)

61 The most important thing to do right now is give the president everything he wants. We'll give him enough rope to hang us with...hic!

Posted by: John Boehner at January 10, 2014 01:20 PM (iO3BG)

62 Posted by: John P. Squibob at January 10, 2014 05:18 PM (kqqGm) Dude. They don't have a way to pay them. Maybe if they just flat nationalized them and paid them flat salaries- maybe. But if they try "single payer" (fee-for-service), the Government itself has no way to do that, currently.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:20 PM (PYAXX)

63 So let me get this straight: We have a program that's done only a tiny fraction of what was promised, the side effects to date have been at least harmful and the future looks catastrophic, yet the insurers are telling us that if we attempt to put an offramp on the slippery slope we'll cause the whole thing to collapse? Oh boy, fun. Send your kid to medical school 'cause in the future it's the only way you're gonna get a doctor?

Posted by: JEM at January 10, 2014 01:20 PM (o+SC1)

64 how do they see it magically becoming single payer? They Nationalize the insurance companies and hospitals. This will especially work in CA, where doctors cannot own hospitals. I'm not saying is going to work. I'm just saying that what they'll do. Posted by: John P. Squibob at January 10, 2014 05:18 PM (kqqGm) I should have said in this explosive, political climate when the electorate is irate at losing care, and the costs are sky-rocketing. I know, logistically, how they can do it. But, they need everyone on board, and I don't see it happening right now.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:21 PM (IXrOn)

65 I'd like to propose a new quote from the Batman movies to describe the core of LiB: "I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you."

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:21 PM (naUcP)

66 I say we roll the dice. *** Well you say that like there is a choice. Probably the only "Choice" is in the timing or advent of arrival for single payer. Sooner or later.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (RJMhd)

67 It is the Insurance companies piles of cash that the politicians are after, and they are within reach of getting their way.  Next up is our savings and 401k's. 

Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (32Ze2)

68 @58 - yeah, really. "We'd love to do something sane and market-driven, but first can you pour me another double Regulatory Capture on the rocks? "

Posted by: JEM at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (o+SC1)

69 Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 05:21 PM (naUcP) Nah Rorschach from Watchmen is better. "The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout "Save us!"... and I'll look down and whisper "No." "

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (GaqMa)

70 That said, I've gotten to thinking: how would "single payer" work? I mean, the Government doesn't know how (not even the mechanics- let alone the theory behind those mechanics) to handle insurance. Tricare, Medicaid, and Medicare are all administered by private sector insurance companies. If those insurance companies go kaput because of 404Care, how is the Government going to implement single payer? That's why I've said all along 404Care wasn't designed to fail. In order to get single payer, you have to have a plan b ready to rock and roll. They don't. If they can't run plan a, they sure as hell can't run plan b.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (lUXJH)

71 I think they would wait for the companies to go belly up, then do a mass bailout, create partial ownership through stock, then full ownership through buyout, redesign how they see fit. All past companies would fall under the govt umbrella, even though they would be separate entities in name only. Prices then get fixed, doctors and hospitals go belly up, rinse repeat.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (WdbF7)

72 Laissez faire. Laissez passe.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:22 PM (DhGW2)

73 No more bail-outs!

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:23 PM (DhGW2)

74 Humana has broken the code of omerta. They should expect the kiss of death from Don Barky forthwith.

Posted by: Hurricane LaFawnduh at January 10, 2014 01:23 PM (pginn)

75 @56 That's only 3% profitability. Which makes sense as to why they got into bed with the government. Why do I have a scene from good fellas in my head?

Posted by: Kreplach at January 10, 2014 01:23 PM (5TFvk)

76 The thing with this being a trojan horse for single payer is that it had to at least "work" for some time. A whole generation would have been ideal. A political generation, maybe. But crashing out of the gate, with ineptitude rivaling anything this planet has ever seen, not so much.

Posted by: AMDG at January 10, 2014 01:23 PM (t7OO0)

77 Dude. They don't have a way to pay them.

http://tinyurl.com/kc27rtj

Posted by: John P. Squibob at January 10, 2014 01:23 PM (kqqGm)

78 Send your kid to medical school 'cause in the future it's the only way you're gonna get a doctor? 1) Reinstitute conscription 2) draft smart people into medical corps 3) slavery/indentured servitude Crabby old people get their doctors.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 10, 2014 01:23 PM (iO3BG)

79 Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 05:21 PM (IXrOn) They fucked up; they trusted themselves. I don't think the Deems had any clue *how fast* this would blow up. I think they were expecting American Exceptionalism to carry them forward for 5 - 10 years; just a low level of suck that continually increased. Then, in 5 - 10 years, once people were "used to it" they could say, "Hey, we can make this better with single payer!" With it blowing up now, it might be our best way to end that threat semi-permanently. If this implodes this year or next, people are going to say, "Single payer? You couldn't even handle handing my information off to private entities! Screw that!"

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:24 PM (PYAXX)

80 if Republicans succeed in ending the "risk corridor" bailouts to the insurance industry (which will be massive, due to the "adverse" mix of health and unhealthy enrollees), the result will be the bankrupting of the system -- and the coming of single-payer. IOW, 'keep this system that explodes payments to us and guarantees a massive client base, and sticks the taxpayer with our losses,' but what if we just repeal the thing lock, stock, and barrel? There's no way that they're going to make single payer without things splitting open completely and full-on insurrection. But what if we actually force these cronies into a real Free Market system?

Posted by: --- at January 10, 2014 01:24 PM (MMC8r)

81 75 @56 That's only 3% profitability. Which makes sense as to why they got into bed with the government. Why do I have a scene from good fellas in my head? --- Fuck you, pay me!

Posted by: Paul Vario at January 10, 2014 01:24 PM (/Crba)

82 Those who don't want to live by the Market can choke on a cock.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:24 PM (DhGW2)

83 Look peasants.

Those of you who can pay cash for your operations will be allowed to do so if you fly to other counties.

As for the rest of you... the first time you get sick when you are over the age of 50, you'll be sent to one of our "specialists" who will remove all of your usable organs, which will them be transplanted into members of the Party who need them. Your families will receive a $2500 death benefit.

The sooner everyone accepts it the better.

/now let me eat my waffles and play some golf!

Posted by: The Administration of King Barack Obama I at January 10, 2014 01:24 PM (25HWz)

84 "No." " Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) No Really! at January 10, 2014 05:22 PM (GaqMa Every time I've picked up that book, the quote gives me chills. So good.

Posted by: AMDG at January 10, 2014 01:24 PM (t7OO0)

85 No. You tie any bailout to a full repeal. We don't want the all insurers going out of business, no matter how stupid some of them were for going along with this.

Any Democrat opposing this is all but admitting that a bailout is likely/inevitable.

Posted by: tehdinj at January 10, 2014 01:25 PM (9qDRl)

86 Your Bar Guide for the 21st Century: The Obamacare: one shot of Regulatory Capture, one shot of Socialized Risk, mix briskly in a Fascist State and serve in an enema bag.

Posted by: JEM at January 10, 2014 01:25 PM (o+SC1)

87 With it blowing up now, it might be our best way to end that threat semi-permanently. If this implodes this year or next, people are going to say, "Single payer? You couldn't even handle handing my information off to private entities! Screw that!" Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 05:24 PM (PYAXX) yep hence, all the legalizing pot talk

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:25 PM (IXrOn)

88 Tricare, Medicaid, and Medicare are all administered by private sector insurance companies. If those insurance companies go kaput because of 404Care, how is the Government going to implement single payer? We're smart. We gave up trillion dollar jobs in the *shudders* private sector to go into government service. We'll figure it out. -Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Obama, et al

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 10, 2014 01:26 PM (8ifMA)

89 There are PLENTY of good Doctors from the Sub-Continent.  If the spoiled Americans refuse to go to Medical School, then I say we import the whole lot of them..... and send the Americans to jail! 

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Indused with Liberal Logic at January 10, 2014 01:26 PM (32Ze2)

90 Your families will receive a $2500 death benefit.

Paid in Itchy and Scratchy Dollars.

Posted by: HR at January 10, 2014 01:26 PM (ZKzrr)

91 #threeyears

Just hold it together for three more years and I can leave the country.
Is that asking too much?

Posted by: Doggie Bowser at January 10, 2014 01:26 PM (SRaf2)

92 if Republicans succeed in ending the "risk corridor" bailouts to the insurance industry (which will be massive, due to the "adverse" mix of health and unhealthy enrollees), the result will be the bankrupting of the system -- and the coming of single-payer. makes you laugh so who exactly is allied with big business? big government... hell-o

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:27 PM (IXrOn)

93 >>That's only 3% profitability. >>Which makes sense as to why they got into bed with the government. Contrary to what liberals say, insurance companies have always had very slim profit margins. Still, making a billion in profits every year is still a billion dollars. But insurance companies have decades of experience and are run extremely efficiently compared to the federal gov't. Imagine how much we would lose every year under single payer.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 10, 2014 01:27 PM (g1DWB)

94 Roooooll the dice.

Corporations need to *fear* cooperating with Democrats.  As long as they see the Republicans as a reliable friend, they won't take any risks to win our support.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at January 10, 2014 01:28 PM (ZMzpb)

95 That said, I've gotten to thinking: how would "single payer" work? I mean, the Government doesn't know how (not even the mechanics- let alone the theory behind those mechanics) to handle insurance. Tricare, Medicaid, and Medicare are all administered by private sector insurance companies. If those insurance companies go kaput because of 404Care, how is the Government going to implement single payer?

Posted by: rickb223

They won't all 'go out of business.' A handful of the biggest with the greatest of economies of scale will become the government vendors and administrators. That's why the big co's were willing to go along because even if this system defaulted to GovMed, they're the only companies that could bid for the contracts.

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at January 10, 2014 01:28 PM (tlwVg)

96 Yo, LIV's. Dog on Roof would have been much better than Dog on Roof of Mouth.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 01:28 PM (IXrOn)

97 No. You tie any bailout to a full repeal. We don't want the all insurers going out of business, no matter how stupid some of them were for going along with this. Contingent upon full cooperation in making the people whole. Otherwise, let the fraud trials commence. I figure a few twenty year sentences might damp the enthusiasm for things like this somewhat going forward. At least, for a little while.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:28 PM (naUcP)

98 "MailOnline: Light skin in Europeans stems from ONE 10,000-year-old ancestor who lived between India and the Middle East, claims study "Light skin in Europeans stems from a gene mutation from a single person who lived 10,000 years ago. This is according to a new U.S. study that claims the colour is due to an ancient ancestor who lived somewhere between the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent." Via @GPollowitz." No doubt. For one thing, there is nothing "between the Middle East and India." The Middle East ends where India begins. For another, incest might not be 'as hot as it sounds.' But Mediterranean Whites must always be Otherized. Darwin volt!

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:28 PM (DhGW2)

99 all of this frippery and the GOP CANNOT LAND A PUNCH EH?

This is insane, Obama is a fascist and the insurance companies need demonized...BY US.

The media is bewildered the conservatives waved at Christie during their little flogging...

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:28 PM (TE35l)

100 Imagine how much we would lose every year under single payer.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 10, 2014 05:27 PM (g1DWB)


----


"all.of.it" get's my vote....

Posted by: fixerupper at January 10, 2014 01:29 PM (nELVU)

101 Single payer?

we're well beyond that now, approaching Cuban Health Care System territory. Everyone works for the government, everything is free.

Posted by: Raul P. Clifford Jr. at January 10, 2014 01:29 PM (SRaf2)

102 how do they see it magically becoming single payer?

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 05:11 PM (IXrOn)

 

I'm guessing they're betting the media can sell the idea to the public, where single-payer (never ever 'socialized medicine') will be portrayed as THE workable solution to the mess the Republicans forced us into.

 

Yes, I know the logic is impossible but reason has no place in any of this. Because I'm a cynic and because I never underestimate the greed of the Free Shit Army, I give them a 50-50 chance at pulling it off.

Posted by: troyriser at January 10, 2014 01:29 PM (gNlvW)

103 But insurance companies have decades of experience and are run extremely efficiently compared to the federal gov't. Imagine how much we would lose every year under single payer.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 10, 2014 05:27 PM (g1DWB)

______________________

Listen...... Anyone else hear that giant sucking sound?

Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 10, 2014 01:29 PM (32Ze2)

104 Anyhow, only insurers that offer Obamacare plans will be affected.  Screw 'em.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at January 10, 2014 01:29 PM (ZMzpb)

105 please remember that when it comes to these people, they always think they know what they're doing, it's just that the rest of us keep messing things up.

I can hardly wait.

Posted by: Mallfly at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (bJm7W)

106 We don't want the all insurers going out of business, no matter how stupid some of them were for going along with this. They ALL went along with it.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (lUXJH)

107 85 No. You tie any bailout to a full repeal. ***** And you win the damn Senate seats in 2014.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (RJMhd)

108

This should serve as a lesson to businesses everywhere: don't get in bed with the government.

Whether run by Dems or GOP, governent and business do not mix.

Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (CofEF)

109
..... and you all were screaming for MY head????

Posted by: Bernie Madhoff at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (nELVU)

110 They won't all 'go out of business.' A handful of the biggest with the greatest of economies of scale will become the government vendors and administrators. That may be what they're counting on, but I'm not sure it's a safe assumption. Humana (as noted) made 3% profit last year. Much like a bank, an insurance company that shows 0 profit is in a Very Bad Way. An insurance company that shows an actual loss is about 1 year from going out of business- if that long.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) Ah, F It. at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (PYAXX)

111 On 'the bright side,' if a lot of insurance companies go bankrupt, the ones which survive might have 'nice profits.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:30 PM (DhGW2)

112 I'd rather stick my dick into Maddow... Ugh, my stomach just turned over...

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at January 10, 2014 01:31 PM (G5cc0)

113 93 JackStraw at January 10, 2014 05:27 PM (g1DWB)

Without a doubt, and you know who made that argument  for them for YEARS?

Not the party of the guy whose dick they were engorging...

They betrayed us because they THOUGHT they were gonna be GSEs like Fannie and Freddie...

time for them to pay the piper.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:31 PM (TE35l)

114
Has anyone mentioned how this 100% unequivocally FASCISM?

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 01:31 PM (gYIst)

115 All we need is a good Directive 10-289.

Posted by: WalrusRex at January 10, 2014 01:31 PM (XUKZU)

116 But who could have foreseen that fucking with the Free Market might not be a Free Lunch. One would have had to have the IQ of a Marx or an Obama.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:31 PM (DhGW2)

117
Socialism, like Tataglia, is a pimp.

It was Barzini and Fascism, all along.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 01:32 PM (gYIst)

118 SMH

Posted by: Charles Ponzi at January 10, 2014 01:32 PM (32Ze2)

119 One would have had to have the IQ of a Marx or an Obama. Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 05:31 PM (DhGW2) I'll be using that one.

Posted by: Sean Bannion[/i][/s][/u][/b] at January 10, 2014 01:32 PM (yz6yg)

120 I thought that 10,000 years is what it takes for an African to become a Norwegian.

What I mean to say is it takes the progeny of a dark person 10,000 years in a northern climate for the skin to lighten.

Fat chance getting reproduction to work for blacks in Norway without Vitamin D supplements.

Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at January 10, 2014 01:33 PM (V70Uh)

121
You know what?

The best thing for Conservatism to once again be political relevant might be to sit back and allow Single Payer.

Only then will voters see an alternative to the status quo.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 01:34 PM (gYIst)

122 119 Sean Bannion at January 10, 2014 05:32 PM (yz6yg)

When I want to know how to get my car fixed I go to a mechanic.

When I want my vitals checked I go to a doctor.

When I need a contract written up I hire a lawyer.

To run a newly centralized healthcare system for 300,000,000 people in a dynamic environment starting from zero as a slight reform to market dynamics?

I hire Barack Obama a guy who has never even ran a lemonade stand.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:34 PM (TE35l)

123 Not to worry, though. Moar Government can always make things better.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:34 PM (DhGW2)

124 I say we roll the dice. ----------------- I agree. that being said, are you aware that Lena Dunham is back in the news?

Posted by: MJ at January 10, 2014 01:35 PM (PRPp1)

125
Fat chance getting reproduction to work for blacks in Norway without Vitamin D supplements.
-
Evolution depends on death to make it work, much like socialism.

Posted by: WalrusRex at January 10, 2014 01:35 PM (XUKZU)

126 Not to worry, though. Moar Government can always make things better.

And it's free, so who cares if it's shitty?  It's FREE!

Posted by: HR at January 10, 2014 01:35 PM (ZKzrr)

127 How did that gene mutation become more dominant so quickly?

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Unexpurgated Edition) at January 10, 2014 01:35 PM (LSDdO)

128 So out here in Commiefornia, one of the biggest promoters of Obamacare has been the pleasantly and neutrally named "The California Endowment".

Nasty nosy suspicious person that I am, I always want to know who is paying the bills for big expensive media campaigns. To which the response usually is a variant of "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

It transpires that The California Endowment goes back to the middle 1990s. When Blue Cross Blue Shield, which are nominally nonprofits, spun out a for-profit subsidiary, Wellpoint Health Networks.

Then a chorus of voices started asking, wait a minute, how the fuck does _that_ work, and can you really have a for-profit subsidiary under the umbrella of a nonprofit parent, and should we be looking at revocation of the comfy nonprofit status which BCBS enjoy?

Then the BCBS executives panicked and said, "Shit, we'll pay off whomever we must, just please stop asking all these pointed questions we don't like having to answer. Who do we write the check to?"

So, the payoff was TCE, The California Endowment, which would pour money into health care causes beloved of the institutional left, in exchange for buying the left's silence about BCBS's "nonprofit" status.

Note that this was in the aftermath of Hillarycare flaming out in the middle 1990s. But the left don't ever retreat from long range strategic goals, and they viewed stuff like TCE as a vehicle for the eventual return of Hillarycare under a new label. Which is what happened. And TCE eally stepped up its agitprop game when Obamacare came down the pike.

Yep. You read that right. BCBS have been central players from the very beginning in creating the Obamacare fustercluck, in funding the media bullshit to promote Obamacare, and now BCBS are insisting that the rest of us insulate them financially from the consequences of their own self-serving decisions.

Posted by: torquewrench at January 10, 2014 01:35 PM (gqT4g)

129 Has ANY good come from Obamacare? Even if it's 99% pure garbage, is there at least 1% that's actually helped in some way?

Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at January 10, 2014 01:35 PM (CofEF)

130 Finish them.

Posted by: The Sinister Guy Who Says "Finish Them" at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (8ZskC)

131 How did that gene mutation become more dominant so quickly?

Racism.

Posted by: HR at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (ZKzrr)

132 And it's only people's health. People don't tend to care about that sort of thing. It's simply too abstract. Too intellectual.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (DhGW2)

133 I hire Barack Obama a guy who has never even ran a lemonade stand. But, but he's now focused like a laser on income equality and fancy smancy "promise" zones for the pooooooor..... He can't be bothered trying to run this....

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (9+ccr)

134 Has anyone mentioned how this 100% unequivocally FASCISM?

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 05:31 PM (gYIst)

 

You say that like it is a bad thing.

Posted by: Zombie Benito Mussolini at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (gNlvW)

135 No Mr. Insurance Industry.  I expect you to die.

Posted by: Bauric Goldfinger at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (8ZskC)

136 To run a newly centralized healthcare system for 300,000,000 people in a dynamic environment starting from zero as a slight reform to market dynamics?

I hire Barack Obama a guy who has never even ran a lemonade stand.
-
If life hands you nothing but lemons, make socialist lemonade.

Posted by: Barky the Capitalist at January 10, 2014 01:36 PM (XUKZU)

137 Has ANY good come from Obamacare? Even if it's 99% pure garbage, is there at least 1% that's actually helped in some way?

Posted by: Joffen, fucking sunshine patriot at January 10, 2014 05:35 PM (CofEF)

_______________________

It has made people long for me!

Posted by: SMOD at January 10, 2014 01:37 PM (32Ze2)

138 Fuck you Humana, you crawled in bed with these pigs in the hopes of fattening your bottom line through forced commerce.  I too say let's roll the dice.

Posted by: dogfish at January 10, 2014 01:37 PM (nsOJa)

139 Only then will voters see an alternative to the status quo.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 05:34 PM (gYIst)


----


♪ Let it burn

Let it burn.

Let it burn.

Whisper words of widsom.

Let it burn.♫

Posted by: fixeruppr at January 10, 2014 01:37 PM (nELVU)

140 We used to have a saying in July of each year as the newly graduated medical students were beginning their internships, actually taking care of real patients. "Pray for Good Health in July". Well, I think we can expand that to more than just July. Pray for good health y'all.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (g4TxM)

141 Please - before you all light the match and have a grand auto da fe for insurers, remember that AHIP (the trade group that made most of these crap deals on behalf of association members) only listens to the big three: Aetna, Humana and United Health. There are plenty of small insurers who employ regular people who don't get to make any of these decisions for their entire industry, like the one that puts food on my table which already operated at a 3% profit margin before this piece of crap law. Remember, this administration wants you to blame insurers. Not everybody deserves it.

Posted by: Ohiogal at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (kLgFt)

142 >>I say we roll the dice.


Damn straight.

Posted by: Dr Spank at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (DpEwG)

143 One liability they would have in pushing for single payer is that they forced ObabaFailure down our throat with force and lies. Nobody is going to buy 'This Time For Reals!'

Posted by: --- at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (MMC8r)

144 Yep. You read that right. BCBS have been central players from the very beginning in creating the Obamacare fustercluck, in funding the media bullshit to promote Obamacare, and now BCBS are insisting that the rest of us insulate them financially from the consequences of their own self-serving decisions. May BCBS burn.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (lUXJH)

145 We have these same Economic Kool Aid Binges in California with Illegals. We now have to add additional DMV offices statewide to handle all the Illegal Immigrants given driver licenses by Jerry Brown. Nobody gave a popcorn fart for the cost of giving these illegals Driver Licenses... Illegals are also sinking the Health Care system. in California Illegals are bankrupting schools in California. Illegals are carrying antibiotic resistant strains of viruses. The only good thing about giving them a drivers license is the fact we know where they are and who they are for deportation when we change leadership.

Posted by: 7 Days in May at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (j6DTo)

146 Where I come from stupidity is a criminal offense.

We should have let the bad banks fail and we certainly as hell should let the stupid insurers fail.

You tell me that letting them fail will decrease competition?  Bull shit.  Competition means failure.  If no one loses, there is no competition.  Piles of rubble, let it burn.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (ZMzpb)

147 Humana Informs Shareholders That It Will Likely Make Less Money Due to "Adverse" Mix of Democrats in Congress and Democrats in the White House. And Ass Pirate Roberts.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:38 PM (DhGW2)

148 We don't want the all insurers going out of business, no matter how stupid some of them were for going along with this.

The smart ones already severed/isolated their health insurance business from the general insurance business.

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/s] at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (guzmA)

149 How about this scenario Humana.  You go bankrupt.  We suffer a short bit, while free market entrepreneurs quickly fill the void left be you. 

Posted by: dogfish at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (nsOJa)

150 Given Barry's record, I'm saying that there's a 50% chance that Osama is still alive.

Posted by: --- at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (MMC8r)

151 The bailout merely bides time. It does not relieve the insurance companies' pain since it only covers a portion of their losses (and a decreasing amount by year). The incentives on them remain, and we should be courting them now rather than having them continue to aid in Obama's propaganda. We don't want them dead. We need them, but we need them on our side. Don't antagonize them, and let them feel the pain Obamacare inflicted and the risk of collapse the Democrats put on them.

Posted by: Dales at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (ajeIF)

152 Remember, this administration wants you to blame insurers. Not everybody deserves it. Deserve's got nothing to do with it.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (naUcP)

153 Just.  The.  Tip.

Posted by: Baraka The Malignant at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (32Ze2)

154 150 Given Barry's record, I'm saying that there's a 50% chance that Osama is still alive. Or was already dead...

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (9+ccr)

155 This is a big fucking deal!

Posted by: Joe Biden at January 10, 2014 01:39 PM (15Mpe)

156 gah..... Pixie hates my "Enter" key....

Posted by: fixeruppr at January 10, 2014 01:40 PM (nELVU)

157 133 hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 10, 2014 05:36 PM (9+ccr)

Here's hoping he pivots to fucking golf.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:40 PM (TE35l)

158 Also, 'fuck investors.' Because 'only rich people tend to be into that shit.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:40 PM (DhGW2)

159

OT but did you see the  hot  24 year old foster child of Willie Roberston that will make her debut on Duck Dynasty?  Wowzer. 

 

When I first watched a couple of  episodes of DD I was eh  but  I've  grown to enjoy it.     I can see the appeal.  

Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 01:40 PM (m2CN7)

160 >>We don't want the all insurers going out of business, no matter how stupid some of them were for going along with this.

Bullshit.  Why?

Posted by: dogfish at January 10, 2014 01:40 PM (nsOJa)

161 Eggs, omelettes, you do the math.

Posted by: WalrusRex at January 10, 2014 01:40 PM (XUKZU)

162 Video Dump [rdbrewer]:
• Tub Fun

Ummm....

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at January 10, 2014 01:41 PM (tlwVg)

163 121 You know what? The best thing for Conservatism to once again be political relevant might be to sit back and allow Single Payer. ******* Nope. Once you get that online Liberals are very hard to unseat. Sure Canada did after decades of Liberal rule. However Canada doesn't have the pluralistic society that we do where a large percentage of the voting block votes Democrat with the 99% like they do in say--Philadelphia precincts. I can't think of another country where they have nationalized health care, a good standing self defense that isn't reliant on us-- and a Conservative government. If there is one you can name it is an anomaly.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:41 PM (RJMhd)

164 But, of course, impoverishing people is a good way to get them to vote Democrat. And that's all that matters, after all.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:41 PM (DhGW2)

165 >>>I say we roll the dice

Here have some matches. Throw one...It's fun.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose Laughing Maniacally While Throwing Matches. at January 10, 2014 01:41 PM (0q2P7)

166 Ohiogol,
I feel for you, but the big boys fucked up and now we all gotta pay.  Yes, they're taking down a lot of innocents with them, but it isn't worth it to keep your company alive if we have to keep the guilty alive too.
Roll the dice.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (ZMzpb)

167 I should have used a bigger gavel to pass this thing.

Posted by: Nancy Pelosi at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (15Mpe)

168 Power and corruption go together. There's not much point in having one without the other.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (DhGW2)

169 Every one of these insurers were all on board this train wreck when they thought they could increase policies sold to young healthy people.. well, guess what? Fuck you!  Make a bargain with the devil and you pay for it in the end.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (f9c2L)

170 152 Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 05:39 PM (naUcP)

I must have missed the insurers buying ad time to plead the case against Obamacare and pointing out the troubles with O'Romneycare then/

I was pretty pissed off so maybe I was in a fugue state..

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (TE35l)

171 Hmmm. Insurance+Obamacare = winning issue. Fuck 'em all. Throw it all together and bash the shit our of all of them in 2014. Now, if we can just get word that Obama slowed down traffic somehow, he'd have to resign.

Posted by: MJ at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (PRPp1)

172 Which is to say, it's all about the Middle Class.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:42 PM (DhGW2)

173 OT but did you see the hot 24 year old foster child of Willie Roberston that will make her debut on Duck Dynasty? Wowzer.

So, not only does he speak his mind about his well developed set of ethics, he actually lives them by providing a home for an otherwise disadvantaged child.  Yeah, we should definitely destroy him.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (6TB1Z)

174 >>>...to sit back and allow Single Payer.


I don't think so.  That scenario just leaves us living in a malaise.

Posted by: dogfish at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (nsOJa)

175 Hey Broter Cavil - it's easy just to want to watch the world burn. Tell me your industry - and I'll think of a way to destroy YOUR livelihood. How bout that?

Posted by: Ohiogal at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (kLgFt)

176 Sweet Jebus, I had to set up a special rule to block the image of that dumpy Girls chick on Drudge.  What the hell is he thinking hanging that shit out where it will punch you in the face all weekend?

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (kUgpq)

177 There are plenty of small insurers who employ regular people who don't get to make any of these decisions for their entire industry, like the one that puts food on my table which already operated at a 3% profit margin before this piece of crap law. Remember, this administration wants you to blame insurers. Not everybody deserves it.

Posted by: Ohiogal

So were the smaller co's forbidden from creating their own industry group? Were they forbidden by law from lobbying on their own behalf?

More to the point, which ones openly protested the law?

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (tlwVg)

178 I must have missed the insurers buying ad time to plead the case against Obamacare and pointing out the troubles with O'Romneycare then She was talking about how not everyone deserves what's going to happen. I was reminding her how little that means.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (naUcP)

179 Which is to say, it's all about the Middle Class. Yeah the "folks" obama always claims to be "helping."

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 10, 2014 01:43 PM (9+ccr)

180 The Democrat Party loves the Middle Class and the Middle Class loves the Democrat Party. And things keep getting better and better for everyone.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:44 PM (DhGW2)

181 >>>are you aware that Lena Dunham is back in the news?

Are you aware I couldn't care less?

Posted by: MikeTheMoose Laughing Maniacally While Throwing Matches. at January 10, 2014 01:44 PM (0q2P7)

182 Tell me your industry - and I'll think of a way to destroy YOUR livelihood. How bout that? HAHAHAHAHA. Spare me. We're all burning here, sister. Don't complain you're getting the same as the rest of us.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:44 PM (naUcP)

183 151 The bailout merely bides time. It does not relieve the insurance companies' pain since it only covers a portion of their losses (and a decreasing amount by year). The incentives on them remain, and we should be courting them now rather than having them continue to aid in Obama's propaganda. We don't want them dead. We need them, but we need them on our side. Don't antagonize them, and let them feel the pain Obamacare inflicted and the risk of collapse the Democrats put on them. Posted by: Dales at January 10, 2014 05:39 PM (ajeIF) ****** Possibly but I don't think we have to kiss their asses too much. What are their options? They are very limited.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:44 PM (RJMhd)

184

Any smart investor would have seen this coming.  Well any smart conservative investor who knew Obamacare  would result in this type of scenario. 

 

Its part of the market.  Other companies are losing money also but for different reasons.  Investors are supposed to research these things.   The market / investing is not a guarantee.  

Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (m2CN7)

185 How many alternative trade associations are there for lawyers besides the ABA? Or for doctors besides the AMA?

Posted by: Ohiogal at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (kLgFt)

186 144 Yep. You read that right. BCBS have been central players from the very beginning in creating the Obamacare fustercluck, in funding the media bullshit to promote Obamacare, and now BCBS are insisting that the rest of us insulate them financially from the consequences of their own self-serving decisions.


May BCBS burn.

I didn't know that.  Providing it's true, and as a BCBS account holder, f*** 'em.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (6TB1Z)

187 are you aware that Lena Dunham is back in the news? And ,excuse me(puke)(puke).... naked....

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (9+ccr)

188 Sweet Jebus, I had to set up a special rule to block the image of that dumpy Girls chick on Drudge. Take a look at that picture and tell me it doesn't look like Alice the Goon from Popeye.

Posted by: --- at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (MMC8r)

189 175 Ohiogal at January 10, 2014 05:43 PM (kLgFt)

Assault Politics Economics?

You're soaking in it...

//275,000 military members and rising


Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (TE35l)

190 Hey Broter Cavil - it's easy just to want to watch the world burn. Tell me your industry - and I'll think of a way to destroy YOUR livelihood. How bout that?

Posted by: Ohiogal at January 10, 2014 05:43 PM (kLgFt)

________________________

It is not that we want anything to burn, it is just that we are past the point of stopping it.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 10, 2014 01:45 PM (32Ze2)

191 Because Scientific Communism never fails. Except when there are too many kulaks, wreckers, and enemies of the people. Then it can fail. Fortunately, there's a Five-Year Plan for that.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:46 PM (DhGW2)

192 It is not that we want anything to burn, it is just that we are past the point of stopping it. We didn't start the fire....

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 10, 2014 01:46 PM (9+ccr)

193 Kinda off topic, but what ever happened with that constitutional convention get together at Mt Vernon.  I never heard any outcome from that.

Posted by: Havedash at January 10, 2014 01:46 PM (G1XMn)

194 LET IT BURN

Posted by: phoenixgirl@phxazgrl at January 10, 2014 01:47 PM (tIepE)

195 I can't think of another country where they have nationalized health care, a good standing self defense that isn't reliant on us-- and a Conservative government. If there is one you can name it is an anomaly. Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 05:41 PM (RJMhd) But no right-of-center party in Canada makes any mention of getting rid of the Canadian health care system as it currently exists. They'd never get elected. There is some privatization slowly coming into the mix but that's because the Supreme Court of Canada said it was OK.

Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 01:47 PM (HBIUw)

196 182 Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 05:44 PM (naUcP)

Last time I checked her industry's pet Chicago Me$$iah is devastating the Military and has pretty much wrecked the US economy...

yeah sympathy?

I'm plum out.

No bailouts without repeal.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:47 PM (TE35l)

197 Make a bargain with the devil and you pay for it in the end.
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry

Insert obligatory barbed pineapple joke here.  That's right, insert.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:47 PM (6TB1Z)

198 The insurance companies got in bed with the devil. Now let them live with their Cosmic Herpes. No bailout. They need to be taught to reject Dim jackassery and stick to sound market principles. Now if there was only some way to get GE to take a big heaping spoonful of "suffer you corrupt POS".

Posted by: naturalfake at January 10, 2014 01:47 PM (0cMkb)

199 I know people aren't going to be happy but JackStraw has been pretty prescient about all this shit. Hopefully he's right that the end result will be flushing this turd down the toilet.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 10, 2014 01:47 PM (oFCZn)

200 She was talking about how not everyone deserves what's going to happen.

---

You know what "I" didn't deserve.

A fucking 4 person family plan that is within a couple of hundred dollars of my mortgage payment each month that - sort of - prevents me going bankrupt if I step in front of a bus.

Posted by: fixeruppr at January 10, 2014 01:48 PM (nELVU)

201 That GM bailout worked out well for us didn't it?

Posted by: phoenixgirl@phxazgrl at January 10, 2014 01:48 PM (tIepE)

202 Video Dump [rdbrewer]:
• Tub Fun

Ummm....
-
My daughter and her family, including their new puppy, came to visit us just before Christmas.  I usually get up first and it is my job to feed and water the dogs.  So eventually my wife got up and there was water all over the floor. She accused me of spilling it or leaving the tap on etc. etc.  Later she water our plants and we saw the new puppy jump into the standing water and splash it all over everywhere. So I was off the hook for making a mess.

Posted by: WalrusRex at January 10, 2014 01:48 PM (XUKZU)

203 190 Truck Monkey at January 10, 2014 05:45 PM (32Ze2)

BCBS and Humana decided the thing to do was take that kindling that the 2008 implosion had laying around and try to get a guaranty of profit for a taxpayer backed holiday.

They said "Let's pour gasoline on it and back the fuck out of the democrats."

Well no problem you burn us insurance industry we burn YOU.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (TE35l)

204 199 I know people aren't going to be happy but JackStraw has been pretty prescient about all this shit.

No problem here.  JackStraw is good people.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (6TB1Z)

205 >>>They need to be taught to reject Dim jackassery


They need to be taught to reject ANY jackassery.

Posted by: dogfish at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (nsOJa)

206 Jez, I'd bet that huge study that said young healthy people would come flocking in by the gazillions is what led them to conclude that Obamacare is a big fat jug-eared dud.

Posted by: Fritz at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (TKFmG)

207 But no right-of-center party in Canada makes any mention of getting rid of the Canadian health care system as it currently exists. They'd never get elected. There is some privatization slowly coming into the mix but that's because the Supreme Court of Canada said it was OK. Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 05:47 PM (HBIUw) ******* Great point.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (RJMhd)

208

Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 05:47 PM (HBIUw)

 

That's because at the present time,  the United States is next door to provide treatment when necessary. 

Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (m2CN7)

209 Humana, humana, humana

Posted by: jd at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (ROXo4)

210 29 As a customer of BCBS of SC, I am keeping a eye on their humongous pile of cash. There is no point of me having a policy with them if they are broke when the time comes for me to need some health care services.

Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at January 10, 2014 05:12 PM (V70Uh)

Don't worry so much about the corporate books, watch what your states particular regulatory filing says.  They adjust the GAAP books (SEC stuff) to take out things like prepaids (which can't be used to pay claims) and adjust the asset valuations and tax liabilities.  GAAP say's company is a going concern, regulatory says company is bankrupt can it still pay out. 

If your states regulatory filing looks good, you should be OK as a policy holder.  Now if your an investor you have to weigh can the company as a whole survive the mix of good state pools and bad and return your investment.  That's where shits going to get all retarded.

Posted by: allenlou at January 10, 2014 01:49 PM (ENxn8)

211 Fortunately, there's a Five-Year Plan for that. Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 05:46 PM (DhGW2) I've been fascinated by that five-year plan for the last eighty-five years.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith[/i][/b][/s][/u] at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (qyfb5)

212
ahhh, wet dog smell..

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (gYIst)

213
If I was an insurance company selling life, health, car, home insurance, I would drop health right here and now.  They think they are gonna get a bailout, but it will be temporary if they do, and they are gonna get boned hard at the end of this.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (n0DEs)

214 On 'yet another bright side,' Obama can keep Changing things until he gets things right. Because Checks and Balances and the Constitution are old and busted. And homo phobic.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (DhGW2)

215 You lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas Not all will fail Just the ones who got in bed with the JEF willingly Let them go bankrupt. Roll the dice

Posted by: Thunderb at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (zOTsN)

216 Posted by: fixeruppr You know how I roll. On the same page.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (naUcP)

217 Talk about skipping over the obvious--to tell you the truth I stopped looking at Canadian politics.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (RJMhd)

218 Fuck 'em they can't take a joke.

Posted by: Strelnikov at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (9sT6X)

219 199 Dack Thrombosis at January 10, 2014 05:47 PM (oFCZn)

Yeah that shutdown sure is hurting us champ.

A LOT of us were right about this, the answer is not more of the same or rewarding the insurance companies without MAJOR concessions.

They laid down with donks they got up with fleas and a sore ass.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (TE35l)

220 Next shoe to fall after the bailout of the insurance companies- Cost Controls Yayyy!!! That will be how the government makes the insurers "whole" again. All of this was predicted, none of it is a surprise, except to maybe "my friends" on the other side of the aisle. And by "my friends", I mean dipsh*t libs.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at January 10, 2014 01:50 PM (g4TxM)

221 Anyone see where Google Maps accidentally labeled a square in Germany with its old name of Adolph Hitler Platz? Technically the correct name in the past, but not the current name.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (8ifMA)

222 Are you aware I couldn't care less? -------------------------- If you didn't care, you wouldn't have commented. Face it, you want ace to put up a post about her big, fat, jiggly, lesbo looking body.

Posted by: MJ at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (PRPp1)

223 Republicans should refuse to even discuss a bailout unless Obama, Reid, Pelosi and every other liberal who supported this shit suits up in a onesie for the rest of their, hopefully short, political careers.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (g1DWB)

224 'Health care is dead and the Constitution is a "living document."'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (DhGW2)

225 CT Dems kicked out Joe Liebermann.  Now it has two relatively junior senators.  And after November, 2014, they'll be two relatively junior senators in the Dem minority  Roll the dice.

Posted by: mrp at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (HjPtV)

226 208 Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 05:47 PM (HBIUw) That's because at the present time, the United States is next door to provide treatment when necessary. Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 05:49 PM (m2CN7) ******* That too.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (RJMhd)

227 Pimp sues Nike after beating someone to death with a pair of Jordans

http://bit.ly/1eL1XWM
-
Boy, I fined that hard to believe. OK, actually I don't.

Posted by: WalrusRex at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (XUKZU)

228 213 Guy Mohawk at January 10, 2014 05:50 PM (n0DEs)

How you doing?

//State Farm beginning the day after SCotUS deemed it a tax

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:51 PM (TE35l)

229

199
I know people aren't going to be happy but JackStraw has been pretty prescient about all this shit.

 

I'm a Jackstraw fan but he may be right that single payer will not be able to be implemented but I still think he is wrong when he says that  has not been the intention of the Left with Obamacare  as the foot in the door. 

Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 01:52 PM (m2CN7)

230 Next shoe to fall after the bailout of the insurance companies- Cost Controls Yayyy!!! That will be how the government makes the insurers "whole" again.

I can be as paranoid as the next guy, but how exactly do you see such a thing getting past the house?  Ain't gonna happen.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:52 PM (6TB1Z)

231 It's also an extremely complex document, and only Obama is intelligent enough to actually understand what it says. Because Genius.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:52 PM (DhGW2)

232 Time for a Hindenburg analogy?

Posted by: Oh, the Humana-ty!! at January 10, 2014 01:52 PM (g4TxM)

233 You know how I roll. On the same page.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, still chilly at January 10, 2014 05:50 PM (naUcP)


----


I know.   **fistbump**


My ire was not directed your way.

Posted by: fixerupper at January 10, 2014 01:52 PM (nELVU)

234 That GM bailout worked out well for us didn't it?


There's no limit to the great results you can get if you're willing to flush billions of tax dollars down the toilet to get them.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at January 10, 2014 01:52 PM (8ZskC)

235 Not everybody deserves it. Posted by: Ohiogal at January 10, 2014 05:38 PM (kLgFt) Deserves' got nothin' to do with it. I mean, did you have a way to stop it? Because that crash is coming the minute the drive on the slick road closed their eyes, took their hands off the wheel and slammed both feet on the brakes. If you bail out of the car, it might be better, it might be worse. That's about it.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith[/i][/b][/s][/u] at January 10, 2014 01:53 PM (qyfb5)

236 Soon...

Posted by: Math at January 10, 2014 01:53 PM (8ZskC)

237 I'm going in for an upper GI and a colonoscopy on Wednesday. I'm paying out of pocket and it's costing me slightly more than one months premium on the gold plan. I doubt I'll be paying much more than the $20k a year I have to pay in NY. Yes, plans are that expensive here. We are relocating to the UK where a private plan there is so much cheaper it's astonishing. The NHS sucks worse than the ACA but we have the option of great private plans there.

Posted by: Ann NY at January 10, 2014 01:53 PM (zjOlo)

238 Republicans should refuse to even discuss a bailout unless Obama, Reid, Pelosi and every other liberal who supported this shit suits up in a onesie for the rest of their, hopefully short, political careers. --------------------- It's already in the bill. The question is how much more will they ask for because of the adverse selection. I like the onesie idea, though.

Posted by: MJ at January 10, 2014 01:53 PM (PRPp1)

239 Republicans should refuse to even discuss a bailout unless Obama, Reid, Pelosi and every other liberal who supported this shit suits up in a onesie for the rest of their, hopefully short, political careers.

I'd settle for a cat o' nine tails. 

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:54 PM (6TB1Z)

240 But one does wonder how it is possible for both Obama and MHP to be the smartest person alive simultaneously.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:54 PM (DhGW2)

241 230 pep at January 10, 2014 05:52 PM (6TB1Z)

It doesn't have to get past the house...

//Zombie Richard Nixon Darth Barack's Master...

They'll declare an emergency and fuck up the system for decades.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:54 PM (TE35l)

242 I can be as paranoid as the next guy, but how exactly do you see such a thing getting past the house? Ain't gonna happen. Same way GM bond holders got screwed.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 10, 2014 01:54 PM (8ifMA)

243 It is, perhaps, the sort of thing that only Obama could even begin to comprehend.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:55 PM (DhGW2)

244 They need to be taught to reject ANY jackassery.

Posted by: dogfish

"Listen, and understand. The Left is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead."

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at January 10, 2014 01:55 PM (tlwVg)

245 That's because at the present time, the United States is next door to provide treatment when necessary. Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 05:49 PM (m2CN7) ******* That too. Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 05:51 PM (RJMhd) Quite a few Canadians have kept an eye on what's going on down here because they know that the US is a safety valve. Sometimes provincial governments will pay to send people down for treatments. I remember a few years ago a lady in Calgary was having multiples (quadruplets?) and Alberta Health/the taxpayer paid for her to be flown to Great Falls, MT to deliver because there were no high-risk maternity beds to be had in Calgary at that moment in time (and presumably, Edmonton).

Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 01:56 PM (HBIUw)

246 OT: Obama on Iraq:

1.Ultimately these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals. Iraqis are a proud people. They have rejected sectarian war. Â– Barack Obama, August 31, 2010

2. We [withdrew troops] in phases. And because we did it in phases, we were continually able to build up Iraqi forces to a point where when we left the cities, violence didnÂ’t go up in the cities; when we further reduced our footprint, violence didnÂ’t go up. And I have no doubt that that will continue. Â– Barack Obama, December 12, 2011

3. I am very optimistic about — about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. Â– Joe Biden, February 11, 2010

4. The tide of war is receding. The draw down in Iraq allowed us to refocus our fight against al-Qaeda and achieve major victories against its leadership. Â– Barack Obama, October 21, 2011

5. The last American soldier will cross the border out of Iraq with their head held high, proud of their success. Â– Barack Obama, from the same October 21 speech.


Posted by: WalrusRex at January 10, 2014 01:56 PM (XUKZU)

247 I'm a Jackstraw fan but he may be right that single payer will not be able to be implemented ***** Not sure if I want to rest on that as some kind of "insurance". That's a little like the nuclear theory of MAD. Where you pinned everything on the hopes that the other guy--the enemy wasn't insane. And it's not even the same environment that we are talking about. Single payer is a goal that a lot of their party openly wants. Go visit some lefty blogs. In relation not too many Russians were really interested in Nuclear Winter.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 01:56 PM (RJMhd)

248 It is all caused by global warming.  Or Bush.

Posted by: Mikey NTH -Have a Querulous New Year from the Outrage Outlet at January 10, 2014 01:56 PM (gmoEG)

249 Posted by: weft cut-loop

So you are saying a big hot foundry then?

Posted by: dogfish at January 10, 2014 01:57 PM (nsOJa)

250 PRO-TIP: Never shake hands with King Shit-Midas.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at January 10, 2014 01:57 PM (8ZskC)

251 248 Mikey NTH -Have a Querulous New Year from the Outrage Outlet at January 10, 2014 05:56 PM (gmoEG)

if the Bush has fungus it produces up to 40% more global warming or something....

//Michael Mann

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 01:58 PM (TE35l)

252 242 I can be as paranoid as the next guy, but how exactly do you see such a thing getting past the house? Ain't gonna happen.

Same way GM bond holders got screwed.

No, that dog won't hunt.  Obama got away with the GM nonsense because he was in the first flush of victory and the shell-shocked GOP was afraid to say anything.  And because Pelosi was SOH. 

This is a tailor-made, fit to order campaign opportunity, and the GOP, no matter how stupid and venal, won't fail to exploit it. 

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 01:58 PM (6TB1Z)

253 'In the beginning, Obama created God. And Obama saw that God was good and He was pleased. And then He went golfing.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:58 PM (DhGW2)

254 'Golfing and bath housing.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:58 PM (DhGW2)

255 Go visit some lefty blogs. I'd rather stick needles in my eyes. Seen one, seen 'em all.

Posted by: Sean Bannion[/i][/s][/u][/b] at January 10, 2014 01:59 PM (yz6yg)

256 Dovie'andi se tovya sagain.


Evening roonz and roonettez!

Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at January 10, 2014 01:59 PM (yh0zB)

257 Because Obama also created Marriage Equality.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 01:59 PM (DhGW2)

258 This is a tailor-made, fit to order campaign opportunity, and the GOP, no matter how stupid and venal, won't fail to exploit it.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 05:58 PM (6TB1Z)


-----


Excuse me, sir...... may I show you my Comprehensive Immigration Reform plan????

Posted by: Stupid and Venal GOP at January 10, 2014 01:59 PM (nELVU)

259 Sometimes provincial governments will pay to send people down for treatments. I remember a few years ago a lady in Calgary was having multiples (quadruplets?) and Alberta Health/the taxpayer paid for her to be flown to Great Falls, MT to deliver because there were no high-risk maternity beds to be had in Calgary at that moment in time (and presumably, Edmonton). Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 05:56 PM (HBIUw) ******** Holy merde. Did.not.know. that. One thing I vaguely remember was being *shocked* at the rate of in hospital caused infections in Quebec--IIRC.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 02:00 PM (RJMhd)

260 252 pep at January 10, 2014 05:58 PM (6TB1Z)

Now think back he bailed them out and then shook them down for near dictatorial oversight...

Basically Bark gifted the CEO duties to a heavy donor.

Apply that script to bailouts that will enrage the GOP FiCon wing and have the single payer tards screaming for blood.

Exactly

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 02:00 PM (TE35l)

261

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 05:56 PM (RJMhd)

 

I agree single payer has been the Left's intention  but I agree with Jackstraw that implementing it will be next to impossible .  At least in this decade. 

Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 02:00 PM (m2CN7)

262
These insurance companies remind me a lot of the landlords of flea-bag apartments who love the government's Section 8 housing allowance.

They end up with low-life tenants, but they don't care because their property is a shithole, (but also a cash cow).

Meanwhile, the rest of the neighborhood is diminished because of his shitty property and shitty tenants. Plus, Section 8 is a burden on all the taxpayers, of course. And it's bad govt, and it's bad economics.

These insurance companies in bed with obama don't give a shit about 'the industry' or the shareholders (they'll string them along as long as they can. And then bail out.) The top execs just wanna get paid. Consequences are for everyone else.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 02:00 PM (gYIst)

263 Because Obama also created Marriage Equality. He's a President! He's a Floor wax! President! Floor wax! Is there anything he can't do?

Posted by: Sean Bannion[/i][/s][/u][/b] at January 10, 2014 02:00 PM (yz6yg)

264 I can be as paranoid as the next guy, but how exactly do you see such a thing getting past the house? Ain't gonna happen. Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 05:52 PM (6TB1Z) ***** It won't be done via legislation. It will be done incrementally by individual insurers renegotiating contracts with hospital systems, big employers and accountable care organizations (provider groups). Medicare/Medicaid will be constrained by CMS fiat. Have you forgotten all the "The Secretary Shall" clauses in the law? This is a big game of Whack-A-Mole with the three moles being Access, Quality, and Cost. They can't whack 'em all at the same time, but you can bet they will be whacked.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at January 10, 2014 02:00 PM (g4TxM)

265
oh but those fleabag landlords cry when their shitty tenants trash the place

but that's what they deserve

Posted by: soothsayer at January 10, 2014 02:01 PM (gYIst)

266 'Marriage Equality was with Obama. And Marriage Equality was Obama. Obama, Marriage Equality, and the Spirit of Marxism make up the Unholy Trinity.'

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 02:01 PM (DhGW2)

267 258 This is a tailor-made, fit to order campaign opportunity, and the GOP, no matter how stupid and venal, won't fail to exploit it. ABortion!

Posted by: GOP at January 10, 2014 02:01 PM (tcK++)

268 207 But no right-of-center party in Canada makes any mention of getting rid of the Canadian health care system as it currently exists. They'd never get elected. There is some privatization slowly coming into the mix but that's because the Supreme Court of Canada said it was OK. Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 05:47 PM (HBIUw) ******* Great point. Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 05:49 PM (RJMhd) They, and the Brits, hate the outcomes of the system, but they love the smug sense of self-satisfaction it gives them that "everybody" has (sucky) healthcare.

Posted by: AmishDude at January 10, 2014 02:02 PM (T0NGe)

269 I'm a Jackstraw fan but he may be right that single payer will not be able to be implemented but I still think he is wrong when he says that has not been the intention of the Left with Obamacare as the foot in the door. Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 05:52 PM (m2CN7) While no one knows what SCOTUS would rule these days, if the feds tried to force a centralized system on everyone states would sue, and if the feds tried the Canadian version (each province runs its own program and the feds provide the overall rules and kick in funding to help out) states would sue.

Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 02:02 PM (HBIUw)

270 NTTAWWT. Later, all. God bless. :-)

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 02:02 PM (DhGW2)

271 255 Go visit some lefty blogs. I'd rather stick needles in my eyes. Seen one, seen 'em all. Posted by: Sean Bannion at January 10, 2014 05:59 PM (yz6yg) ******* True. I haven't done it in years but last time I was scanning I think Fire Dog Lake they were all mad at Obama and attacking from the Left --and in favor of single payer. Hell look what get's published at The Rolling Stone kind of smells like full blown Communism to me.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 02:03 PM (RJMhd)

272 264 Seamus Muldoon at January 10, 2014 06:00 PM (g4TxM)

Possibly Seamus, but I suspect he will try to go overt Nixon and not even get the cursory permission Nixon got in the 70s.

People forget who Nixon was, Obama would take it as a point of pride to use that precedent coupled with just whipping out that pen and doing it.

The media would have a throatgasm lasting 4 hours.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 02:03 PM (TE35l)

273 Racist!!!!! All of you Just gotta get it out once

Posted by: Navypopojoe at January 10, 2014 02:03 PM (wPCF5)

274 273 Racist!!!!! All of you Just gotta get it out once Posted by: Navypopojoe at January 10, 2014 06:03 PM (wPCF5) Bitch, please!!!!

Posted by: EC at January 10, 2014 02:04 PM (doBIb)

275 nood

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at January 10, 2014 02:05 PM (8ZskC)

276 They, and the Brits, hate the outcomes of the system, but they love the smug sense of self-satisfaction it gives them that "everybody" has (sucky) healthcare. Posted by: AmishDude at January 10, 2014 06:02 PM (T0NGe) I love telling liberals that Canadians pay out of pocket or get private/employer-sponsored insurance for things like prescriptions, dental, and eye care. Not everything is covered by the government.

Posted by: Vendette at January 10, 2014 02:05 PM (HBIUw)

277 Excuse me, sir...... may I show you my Comprehensive Immigration Reform plan????
Posted by: Stupid and Venal GOP

I won't pretend that I understand the "thinking" of the idiot Republicans who are pushing amnesty, but if forced to venture a guess, I'd say it's due either to a desire to win Hispanic votes, or the need to be "sensitive" to the poor babies who sneak across our border.  They're deluded fools either way. 

Bailing out the unpopular insurance companies and by extension he even more unpopular OCare would be so epically stupid that even a GOP buffoon like Miss Lindsey wouldn't consider it.  It's an own goal for the Dems.  Like I said, I'm as cynical as they come, but there are limits.

Posted by: pep at January 10, 2014 02:05 PM (6TB1Z)

278 wow, what a great piece of work. Let's give these companies a blank check...and I'm sure this will all be the GOP's fault.

Posted by: oejay44cday at January 10, 2014 02:07 PM (72j65)

279 I'd like to say F'em, but, what I'd REALLY ike is for their collusion with Democrats to be fully and totally exposed. THEN I want them BOTH to suffer HORRIBLY forever-buy I'll settle for 20 years--AND no suffering --no more suffering for us conservatives. I am sick and tired of liars and thieves.

Posted by: rld77 a fellow traveler at January 10, 2014 02:07 PM (5M557)

280 >>I'm a Jackstraw fan but he may be right that single payer will not be able to be implemented but I still think he is wrong when he says that has not been the intention of the Left with Obamacare as the foot in the door. Well thanks. I guess I should soften my position slightly on this. Yes, I think there are some on the left who wanted to transition to a single payer but I don't think they wanted the rocket to blow up on the launch pad. I think they envisioned a slow but inexorable creep of gov't into the insurance agency with the affect of single payer over time. But this was never going to work. It was far to ambitious and the people running it are incompetent. And its going to get a lot worse before its over.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 10, 2014 02:07 PM (g1DWB)

281 One thing I vaguely remember was being *shocked* at the rate of in hospital caused infections in Quebec--IIRC. I went to a hospital in Quebec for persistent, moderate stomach pain. After waiting four hours I met with the Doctor for ten minutes and told him what was going on. He told me he wasn't convinced it was serious and sent me on my way. No referral, no advice, nothing. He didn't even examine me. I found out in America six months later that it was an infection and took antibiotics to get rid of it.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 10, 2014 02:07 PM (8ifMA)

282 What's the difference between single-payer and turning the insurance companies into middle-men for government-provided health care? About this much: .

Posted by: Socrateae at January 10, 2014 02:08 PM (1jViy)

283 Yep, young, unemployed, twenty-somethings, up to and including 26 year olds, have all kinds of disposable income for healthcare, especially when they live at home, have massive student loan debt, and can get healthcare coverage under their parents policies.

This is a winning policy, folks.

Posted by: Fritz at January 10, 2014 02:10 PM (TKFmG)

284 282 Socrateae at January 10, 2014 06:08 PM (1jViy)

Yup...just even more overhead.

The entire Federal trough is ridiculously overhead heavy on "benefits" "administration"...

I am almost to the point I wish the GOP would just say "you know what...fuck it..blank check but here's the deal...they get stipends and have to buy insurance on the private market, and foodstamps are a cash benefit as well."

Foodstamps are like medicare for grocers and they screw with price equilibrium.

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 02:12 PM (TE35l)

285 Single Payer is relatively simple to implement: you simply extend Medicare coverage to everyone. Most of the billing codes and rates are all set up, and every doctor is already in the system. All they have to do is add some pediatric and youth medicine, lots of staff, and bigger servers, and it would be up and running. Voila, USGOV now provides health insurance for everybody. It would work fine, for a while. There is lots of capital in the system to bleed off for years. However decent young doctors won't want to enter the profession, lots of doctors will look for the exits, and hospitals will cut way back on their capacity expansion and upgrades. Plus Pharma companies will cut back on their R/D, so some new cures will never materialize. Give it a decade and Medicare for all will evolve into Medicaid for all.

Posted by: Stirner at January 10, 2014 02:12 PM (l1p2K)

286 how do they see it magically becoming single payer?

Posted by: artisanal 'ette: chili con carne at January 10, 2014 05:11 PM (IXrOn)


(1)  The Democrats are delusional - see Nancy Pelosi for example.


(2)  Others see the sum of their fears.


What no one seems to mention is that the same crowd who wrote ObamaCare will write any single payer statute, and you can guess exactly how charlie foxtroted it would be.  It wouldn't work either, and that is being generous in my predictions.

Posted by: Mikey NTH -Have a Querulous New Year from the Outrage Outlet at January 10, 2014 02:13 PM (gmoEG)

287 I'm on board with letting them burn.  Of course, I was on board with letting it burn back in 2008.

You swallowed the line about more customers through the force of law and now you can bend over and reap what you sowed.

A nice big bailout of insurers is just what Obamacare needs to cement its popularity with Americans.

Posted by: Baron Von Ottomatic at January 10, 2014 02:14 PM (kUgpq)

288 261 Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 05:56 PM (RJMhd) I agree single payer has been the Left's intention but I agree with Jackstraw that implementing it will be next to impossible . At least in this decade. Posted by: polynikes at January 10, 2014 06:00 PM (m2CN7) ******* Okay I see your point. I guess I think in longer time increments. I also think you might be surprised at how rapidly our health care system gets overwhelmed by just the lack of foresight and disorganization. Doctors are quitting. The retired military of a certain age and a lot of Baby Boomers (these groups overlap but the retired military are essentially on Medicare) are at the same time creating a lot of demand as is the influx of people who now think they have free health care. More and more doctors are either quitting or refusing to see Medicare patients, or refusing to accept new patients. It could get really messy. People will panic and get fearful. I don't know what the answer to all that is but single payer might be an easier sell for the Democrats when that happens.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 02:14 PM (RJMhd)

289 231 It's also an extremely complex document, and only Obama is intelligent enough to actually understand what it says. Because Genius. Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at January 10, 2014 05:52 PM (DhGW2) Indeed. He's so smart he never even needed to read the law.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 10, 2014 02:15 PM (oFCZn)

290 I went to a hospital in Quebec for persistent, moderate stomach pain. After waiting four hours I met with the Doctor for ten minutes and told him what was going on. He told me he wasn't convinced it was serious and sent me on my way. No referral, no advice, nothing. He didn't even examine me. I found out in America six months later that it was an infection and took antibiotics to get rid of it. Posted by: bonhomme at January 10, 2014 06:07 PM (8ifMA) ************ Wow--holy crap. Glad you figured it out--jeebus.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 02:17 PM (RJMhd)

291 "You got to ro-oo-oll me and call me the tumbling dice" Lets do this as e of j would say, fuck these fucking fucks

Posted by: TheThinMan at January 10, 2014 02:19 PM (9oibK)

292 The system has been FUCKED.

we need to stop all bailouts and repeal this crap.  Chaos will result no matter what.  People will die.  That was already put in motion by the psychopath in chief when he decided to play god with the lives of 315 million people.

If you have a good relationship with your doctor, you should already be asking about cash only if the shit hits the fan.  Dr's are already making plans for this. 

Posted by: what a bastard at January 10, 2014 02:23 PM (TcDKW)

293 You know, if they are going to go to single payer .... do I get nck's braces cash back?

Posted by: Navypopojoe at January 10, 2014 02:25 PM (/y16L)

294 Hopefully he's right that the end result will be flushing this turd down the toilet. I'd like to see all the Democrat turds and the RINO turds flushed as well.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at January 10, 2014 02:25 PM (G5cc0)

295 Let it burn!!!

Posted by: SacTownMan at January 10, 2014 02:27 PM (f/Ve9)

296 I can be as paranoid as the next guy, but how exactly do you see such a thing getting past the house? John Boehner.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at January 10, 2014 02:31 PM (G5cc0)

297 I don't need comprehensive medical coverage that covers regular doctor's visits and the occasional specialist visit. If the 'regular' insurance market fails, doctors will rejoice b/c they can cut all the paper work and go back to dealing with cash payments for services. The 'problem' would fix itself over night. I also believe a catastrophic federal program is all we need with it being overseen by doctors and hospitals (not appointed bureaucrats) to oversee its administration. We all pay in a certain amount over our lifetime through taxes and then it is there if we ever need it. Sounds good to me. We could also allow for medical savings accounts to cover the doctor's visits, prescription meds and other 'non-catastrophic' stuff like broken arms, stitches, etc.

Posted by: Kris E. at January 10, 2014 02:32 PM (t+Ftz)

298 * Hey Broter Cavil - it's easy just to want to watch the world burn. Tell me your industry - and I'll think of a way to destroy YOUR livelihood. How bout that?*

You'll have to beat Obama to it. 

Anyway, you're aiming your fire the wrong way.  Obama was the one who destroyed your industry, not the people who don't want to go even deeper in debt to buy you out of the wreckage.  Think of yourself as one already dead.

Posted by: Emperor of Icecream at January 10, 2014 02:37 PM (ZMzpb)

299 #297 such an approach would devastate health company lobbyists, and DC political consulting. What kind of monster are you?

Posted by: Stirner at January 10, 2014 02:38 PM (l1p2K)

300 Shoot the hostage.

Posted by: Yep at January 10, 2014 02:41 PM (FA+FN)

301 299 Stirner at January 10, 2014 06:38 PM (l1p2K)

a free market one...

I'd agree to "single payer" if it is limited to catastrophic and the rest of the industry goes to market driven while honoring Medicare recipients until they attrit of the system.

The insurance industry morphed from catastrophic coverage to a monster thanks to Democrat wage freezes over a 15 year period and the rise of HMOs.

Find me someone in love with their HMO

Posted by: Sven 10077 at January 10, 2014 02:44 PM (TE35l)

302 Plus all you guys with the-- it can't happen philosophy. Did you think they would pass the ACA via Reconciliation--did you see that one coming? Then did you predict that Chief Justice Roberts-- it's a tax--wait it's a penalty and magically it's a tax again-- two step? I don't think we want to sit on our hands and just "Hope" again.

Posted by: Hawaii at January 10, 2014 02:48 PM (RJMhd)

303 One must remember that leftists hate people. Having millions die off or be out right killed by leftist governments are all features for them. Obama Care is right in line with killing as many of mother Gia's parasites as possible. What Obama care's killing does is make us pay for it. Hell Stalin's bullets were relatively inexpensive.

Posted by: Jukin at January 10, 2014 02:58 PM (WGm5T)

304 Hoe will AARP survive without insurance company payoffs?

Posted by: Buffalobob at January 10, 2014 03:00 PM (RZBmV)

305 The day those two-faced bastards snuggled up to the Chicago mob and publicly supported Obamacare was the day that they superglued the hand of my "give-a-shit-o-meter" to zero, welded it, nailed it, embedded it in concrete, and dropped it into an active volcano. So far as I am concerned, I hope the executives involved are completely cleaned-out by the inevitable shareholder suits so that they can spend their declining days trying to figure out how not to be recognized under freeway overpasses.

Posted by: cthulhu at January 10, 2014 03:19 PM (T1005)

306 Ace, don't "roll the dice."  We the taxpayers will have to bail them out.  Otherwise, there is no health insurance industry.

Take the long view.  We need to be able to survive O-care.

Posted by: Great Reagan's Ghost at January 10, 2014 04:05 PM (LsJAk)

307 So, in Ace's opinion, then, the insurance companies should have refused to work with the government on ObamaCare and . . . gone out of business.

REALLY smart stuff there.  Blame the companies for trying to survive - for OBEYING THE FREAKING LAW regarding their fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders!

Throw the shareholders to the wolves!  Under the bus, like GM bondholders!

Sorry, this is not a Republican or conservative position.  It's a fringe NUT position of populist demagogues.

Posted by: Adjoran at January 10, 2014 06:14 PM (473jB)

308 Keep in mind some of these companies only sell health insurance or provide healthcare. Its harder than you think to oppose the government when its your biggest customer and taking over the entire industry. Another thing...people pointed out the Medicare actually outsources to private companies. That entire "super low" administrative overhead they have is because they do that. They don't actually run anything. Anmother progressive misunderstanding of how the system works. (or doesn't.)

Posted by: sexypig at January 10, 2014 07:57 PM (dZQh7)

309 "REALLY smart stuff there. Blame the companies for trying to survive - for OBEYING THE FREAKING LAW regarding their fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders!" They should have recalled Father Niemoller...and also realized that if you throw your lot in with the one party, you can have trouble when they are out of power.

Posted by: sexypig at January 10, 2014 08:02 PM (dZQh7)

310 They didn't need to advertise for Ocare. They could have opposed it. They could have not ponied up for Sebellius' slush fund. They could give interviews off the record to the press. They chose to do many more things than just quietly acquiesce.

Posted by: sexypig at January 10, 2014 08:04 PM (dZQh7)

311 310  Posted by: sexypig at January 11, 2014 12:02 AM (dZQh7)


You should pay more attention to the news are read ALL the posts.  The "companies" as you put it helped write the law and they have been in bed with it from start to finish.  So yes, they deserve a LOT of the blame.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 10, 2014 08:37 PM (T2V/1)

312 Oops sorry, I see you were replying to 308  who is a the fringe nut he gripes about.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 10, 2014 08:39 PM (T2V/1)

313 here we go!

Posted by: yes at January 10, 2014 10:57 PM (rrAA4)

314 Red % i'm goi'n in

Posted by: red scepecit at January 10, 2014 10:59 PM (rrAA4)

315

white queen !

any black square.

Posted by: yes at January 10, 2014 11:00 PM (rrAA4)

316 move me on too!

Posted by: yes at January 10, 2014 11:01 PM (rrAA4)

317 Thank you!

Posted by: my furry side says at January 10, 2014 11:03 PM (rrAA4)

318 Blue Cross Blue Shield wrote a talking points lobbying memo warning that if Republicans succeed in ending the "risk corridor" bailouts to the insurance industry (which will be massive, due to the "adverse" mix of health and unhealthy enrollees), the result will be the bankrupting of the system ______________________ F--k you, Blue Cross. You and all the other insurance companies that dropped your panties and swooned as soon as dreamy Barry came calling. You jumped into bed with this filthy and corrupt POS and now you want taxpayers to pay for your penicillin shots, and to reimburse you for the money Barry stole out of your purse while you were asleep? Again, f--k you. Go bankrupt. You earned the right with your incredible stupidity. New insurance companies will be happy to take over your business as soon as Obamacare is dead, which thanks to you, it soon will be.

Posted by: Trivial Pursuer at January 11, 2014 03:44 AM (/sohm)

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